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"It involves the joint efforts of the Health and Welfare Branch, Social Welfare, Housing and Home Affairs departments, non-governmental organisations and interested bodies in the community such as service groups, church groups and schools," Mr Leung said,
The service would target at those aged 60 and above who were in need of social support and wished to be regularly contacted by volunteers, he said, adding that priority would be given to those who were more vulnerable or at risk.
On the working mechanism, the Director pointed out that a steering committee with representatives from the relevant branch and departments mentioned above and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service was formed to formulate strategies and oversee the implementation of the project.
At the district level, a district committee would pool resources from different sources to network the elderly persons, he said.
"The participating multi-service centres for the elderly will set up their local co- ordinating mechanism to facilitate effective matching of vulnerable elderly persons with volunteer organisations," he added.
Mr Leung called for community support to the project, describing it as "a responsibility to be shared by the whole community".
"Without the concerted efforts of all concerned, success of social networking is difficult to come by," he said.
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Fund to support Hong Kong's service industry
The Government has recently set up the Services Support Fund (SSF) to provide financial support for projects which can contribute to the overall development and the competitiveness of Hong Kong's service industry.
The $50-million fund is administered by the Industry Department.
A project to be funded should be non-profit making in nature, except for the purpose of the project's long-term self-sufficiency.
Four main types of organisations are eligible to apply for funds from the SSF. They are services-support bodies, trade and industry associations, higher education institutions, and professional bodies and research institutes. Locally incorporated companies may also be considered if their projects will benefit the service industry that go beyond the interests of individual enterprises.